A competitive primary process is underway.
The Democratic Party has not chosen a nominee yet.
I was just reading a Washington Post article about Democratic donors expressing concern about President Joe Biden’s age and was shocked to come across this bit recounting former White House chief of staff Ronald Klain’s response to a donor asking about a “backup plan” if Biden can’t run:
Klain’s rebuttal was swift, recalled one attendee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share candid details of the private event. The president is the party’s nominee, Klain said, and a strong nominee at that. There is no backup plan.
How is it possible for Klain to say Biden “is the party’s nominee” when the primary process has not concluded and millions of Democrats — and democrats — have not yet had a chance to vote?
Alongside author Marianne Williamson, Dean Phillips, a Democratic congressman from Minnesota, is chasing the party’s nomination. Phillips is actively campaigning in New Hampshire and last night participated in a South Carolina Democratic Party event in Charleston, even tweeting a picture of him and Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) happily embracing each other. It’s possible that others could enter the race.
New Hampshire will vote for the Democratic nominee on January 23, 2024 and then South Carolina will have its say on February 3rd. It is far too early for Ronald Klain — or any other Democrat — to declare Joe Biden is the party’s nominee, unless the intent is to intimidate and silence challengers.
Let’s be clear — there is a competitive primary process underway right now. It’s okay for some Biden aides to wish it wasn’t happening, but it’s entirely inappropriate to erase the process. The Democratic Party is having a democratic primary whether some people like it or not.